| Year | 1973 |
| Lens Groups | 8 |
| Lens Element | 9 |
| Aperature Blades | 6 |
| Minimum Aperture | f/16 |
| Closest Focusing | 0.3 m |
| Max. Magnifcation | 1:8.8 (0.114x) |
| Filter Size | 55 mm |
| Diameter x Length | 66 x 52.5 mm |
| Weight | 330 gr (0.73 lb) |
| Hood | BW-55B |
It's hard for us to realize these days that there was a time when a wide angle lens was an optical marvel. The first were short focal length lenses that naturally gave a wide angle view. Of course the real trick is to produce such a lens with a minimum of aberrations, distortion, and still have color fidelity and flatness of field. No easy trick, thus for quit a long time 35mm was the practical limit for a wide angle lens. After WW II, and the coming of coated lenses, Zeiss astounded the optical world with the 21mm f4.5 Biogon, the first "ultra" wide angle lens. Made for the Contax IIa - IIIa rangefinder camera, this lens remained a bench mark for many years, and was available until recently for the Contax G series cameras. However, making true, short focal length wide angles was not a problem for the rangefinder camera because there was no mirror between the rear element of the lens and shutter. Things were different for the emerging single lens reflex camera. While the mirror was great for normal, telephoto, and close up photography, it was a barrier for the wide angle lenses of the time. So, what to do?
One solution was to get the mirror out of the way so you could mount a true wide angle on the camera and a finder on the accessory shoe. This was the real reason for mirror lockup. Canon did this with the 19mm f4.5. So did Nikon, especially with their extreme fisheye lenses. However, mounting a lens in such fashion negated the superior viewing offered by the SLR. So, there had to be a better way. Ultimately it was the Angenieux Company of Paris who developing the first retro-focus, or reverse telephoto wide angle lens. This solved the problem of the mirror, and while more complex to make than a true wide angle, virtually all SLR wide angle lenses use the retrofocus concept. This fact alone helped the SLR supersede the rangefinder camera as THE 35mm camera. However, most camera companies would offer 35mm and 28mm wide angles, and then leap frog to an extra wide lens such as Canon's 19mm. However, wide angle photography was becoming more common, and ultimately a solution was found for the gap. Thus, Canon introduced the 24mm f2.8 wide angle, the first 24mm wide angle in the industry. Now a photographer could work in a tight space, take a wide angle picture, yet not have to worry about the extremes of perspective and "distortion" presented by say, a 20 or 17mm lens. It quickly became a part of many a Canon professional's camera bag. Eventually this lens became a S.S.C. model, and was ultimately joined by a high speed version. Also, some advocated it as part of a 24-50-100-200mm group of lenses, with each lens of the series doubling in focal length. While that arrangement never quite worked for me, the 24 mm focal lengt is still a part of the Canon system either as as a zoom lens, or as a single focal length. It's a good, solid, useful lens both then and now. Enjoy.
Wow! This is the first Canon FD lens that has really impressed me with its IQ. This might be the best IQ of any <=28mm old lens I've used. On my Sony NEX APS-C, there is absolutely nothing to complain about for this lens: it's a 10/10. It easily outperforms modern zooms covering this focal range and even has a good close focus.
The lens is a breech mount, but feels a bit plastic -- not as much as either of the two 50mm f/1.8 S.C. lenses I own, so I'll guess that it has a little better tolerance (or I have a good copy) and hence give it 8/10 for build. I also wish it were better sealed, and this copy seems to have a tiny bit of crystaline marks at the inside edge of the rear element. I don't think it's fungus, but cleaning fluid that seeped in and dried. Anyway, that doesn't seem to hurt anything.
As for the 50mm FD lenses (which this looks a lot like), this lens feels very good on my Sony NEX-5. I just wish it were a little faster. For the speed, I'll still use my Vivitar/Kiron 24mm f/2.0, but it is definitely not as good IQ at f/2.8 as this lens.
Wow! This is the first Canon FD lens that has really impressed me with its IQ. This might be the best IQ of any <=28mm old lens I've used. On my Sony NEX APS-C, there is absolutely nothing to complain about for this lens: it's a 10/10. It easily outperforms modern zooms covering this focal range and even has a good close focus.
The lens is a breech mount, but feels a bit plastic -- not as much as either of the two 50mm f/1.8 S.C. lenses I own, so I'll guess that it has a little better tolerance (or I have a good copy) and hence give it 8/10 for build. I also wish it were better sealed, and this copy seems to have a tiny bit of crystaline marks at the inside edge of the rear element. I don't think it's fungus, but cleaning fluid that seeped in and dried. Anyway, that doesn't seem to hurt anything.
As for the 50mm FD lenses (which this looks a lot like), this lens feels very good on my Sony NEX-5. I just wish it were a little faster. For the speed, I'll still use my Vivitar/Kiron 24mm f/2.0, but it is definitely not as good IQ at f/2.8 as this lens.
i havent had much experience with canon fd slrs until recently. it started when i traded in my nikon fg-20 body because it was beyond repair for a canon al-1. it came with a standard 50mm lens. i then saw this wonderful lens. i knew this was the wide-angle lens for me. i bought mine for around $40, albeit with some mold buildup inside, probably from poor storage. but the the effect on picture quality is negligible, and i dont need to have the lens cleaned until a good 2 years or so under my care. it has razor sharp focusing and a 2.8 opening is suffice for day-hazy shots. it can work even for night shots but id appreciate another f-stop for that. bottomline: i just love this lens.
This size wide angle is often overlooked in favour of the 20mm or 28, I know I do! However, when I think to use it, this lens really impresses with the image quality.
I have the breech mount version and I find these to be just a little better built than the later versions. Really sharp and contrasty, with negligible fall off on the edges, this is a top performing prime, and at the prices they sell for now, a great alternative to the 28's.